Home improvements

 

Nothing is

where it ought to be;

upside down,

chaotic,

it could be some time before

normal life resumes.

 

by Scooj

1158. Bedminster

This piece and the one adjacent to it by Deamze have gone now as the buildint they are sprayed on is now surrounded with anti-graff hoardings, presumably because some development work has begun.

Soker, Bedminster, Bristol, September 2017
Soker, Bedminster, Bristol, September 2017

This is yet another high-quality piece from the Soker production line. Strong clear lines and colours, clean work from this great writer. There is a party feel to this piece with a backdrop of orange flashes and blue bubbles that contrasts cleverly with the pink and green lettering. The baseball caps on the letters adds a nice tough to the piece.

1157. The Bearpit (108)

Sometimes it’s a case of blink and you’ll miss it, and so it is with street art. This gorgeous wheatpaste by Lemak didn’t last too long in one of the tunnels of The Bearpit, but the subtle colours and dim lighting meant that it was easy to walk past without stopping to take a look. Big mistake…it is a real beauty from this talented artist, and pushes his experimental approach in a satisfying direction.

Lemak, The Bearpit, Bristol, October 2017
Lemak, The Bearpit, Bristol, October 2017

The golden eagle is hand painted and pasted together in a collage effect, a technique that Lemak has used quite a lot recently and one that I admire. There is a lot to enjoy in this piece, and the hard work I know he puts in is all definitely worth it.

1156. M32 Spot (12)

The columns under the M32 are constantly being refreshed, which is great news for people like me. This column is by an artist I have not featured before on this blog. He is J. West and is a Bristol animator turned artist. He has a love of depicting animal which has been in part inspired by his time working at Bristol Zoo Gardens.

J. West, M32 Spot, Bristol, October 2017
J. West, M32 Spot, Bristol, October 2017

This is a nice strong symmetrical piece that contrasts with many of the other rather more organic pieces at this location. J. West has used the constraints of the column to his advantage and produced this arttractive and intriguing piece. I look forward to seeing more of his work in the future.

1155. Dean Lane skate park (91)

A wonderful recent piece on the long wall at Dean Lane by three of Bristol’s very best street/graffiti artists, 3Dom, Soker and Cheo from the ASK stable. I think that this might have been another Halloween collaboration – they have been very popular this year.

3Dom, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2017
3Dom, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2017

First off, on the left is a curious surreal house/shed/kennel with something swirly going on in the middle. 3Dom always has this dream like imagination that presents the familiar combined with the bizarre. The dripping house and shadow underneath are very nice touches to this piece. Great to see 3Dom being more visible on the streets again after a gap of several months.

Soker, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2017
Soker, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2017

I suspect that regular readers will be very familiar by now with the writing of Soker (text says SOKEM) or at least if you are not, where have you been? His writing is always of a high quality and I have rarely been disappointed.

Cheo, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2017
Cheo, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2017

Finally, rounding off the collaboration is a wonderful homage to ‘Freddy Krueger’ by Cheo, complete with razor fingers, stripy t-shirt and a pumpkin face. This is a fun piece that really stands out…it is a pity that there is a bit of glare on the photograph. Most annoying.

3Dom, Soker, Cheo, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2017
3Dom, Soker, Cheo, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2017

All in all this was a nice halloween surprise for me in this spot which I regularly visit. Great work from the boys.

Cornice

.

Sweet imperfection

unnoticed until noticed

then forever seen.

.

by Scooj

Invasion

 

Winter sails

closer to our shores

glancing blows

so bitter;

there is nothing we can do

but sit tight and wait.

 

by Scooj

1154. Dean Lane skate park (90)

There are some unusual colour selections in this nice collaborative pairing of Soge and Hire down at Deaners.The deep blue and maroon backdrop certainly lift the wildstyle writing of Soge, but Hire’s rabbit on the right is a little disguised.

Soge and Hire, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2017
Soge and Hire, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2017

I have said it before on this blog that Soge has an incredibly elaborate Gothic style of wildstyle writing which is quite unusual. I have absolutely no idea what the writing says in this piece, it might be ‘SOGEJEDEN’ which is his Instagram tag. I don’t know.

Hire, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2017
Hire, Dean Lane, Bristol, October 2017

Always I have to like Hire’s rabbits wherever they appear – which is usually Dean Lane these days. Cheeky and mischievous.

1153. Upfest 2017 (105)

Another really high quality piece at this year’s Upfest, this one is by local artist Jody. I think that this piece eclipses his wonderful work from last year, and this wall is really a very special wall.

Jody, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
Jody, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017

Fin Dac had the privilege of painting this wall last year and it is fitting that Jody should continue where Fin Dac left off. This was a labout of love for Jody, and long after all the other artists had packed up and left, Jody was still at it, for several more days…maybe even a week or two.

Jody, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
Jody, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017

I went back a lot, hoping each time that the piece would be complete, but I think Jody was hit by the changeable weather, and possibly the sheer ambition of the wall. On the upside, I have quite a few ‘in progress’ pictures.

Jody, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
Jody, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017

There is so much to love and marvel at in this captivating piece. The beautiful profile portrait, the cut out birds reminiscent of Henri Matisse and the extraordinary pink folds of material in the woman’s hair and neckline. This is a master work.

Jody, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
Jody, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017

In looking at the ‘in progress’pictures, it is interesting to see how Jody appeard to work in strips and patches, where other artists might come at a piece in layers. I guess the scale and scaffolding constraints dictate to some degree how a piece will be painted.

Jody, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
Jody, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017

Along with Nomad Clan’s piece and one or two others, this really shows off the ‘high end’ of what street artists are capable of doing, and in doing it, bringing so much pleasure to so many people. I love this.

1152. Upfest 2017 (104)

I was very taken by Rocket01’s piece at leat year’s Upfest, and equally so by this magnificent overture to wildlife and conservation. I love the green backwash that he uses for his work and the synthesis of nature with technology and futuristic scenarios.

Rocket01, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
Rocket01, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017

There is something solemn and touching in his work let alone the fine artistry in his execution. I missed talking with him this year, I think he just wasn’t there when I was passing each time. Another really strong piece racked up for this year’s festival.

Rocket01, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017
Rocket01, Upfest, Bristol, July 2017